Deep in Dayan Mountain, a hunter carefully navigated the forest. The towering trees were so large that it would take several people to encircle them. The green and yellow foliage concealed countless hidden dangers.
The brilliant sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting an eerie, cold light rather than warmth, creating a chilling atmosphere.
The air was thick with the scent of decaying leaves and branches. The canopy of trees made the air feel heavy and oppressive.
Alex moved quickly and steadily, constantly observing the poisonous insects and fierce beasts around him. The deep regions of Dayan Mountain were rich in spiritual energy, especially near certain nodes close to Tianhong Lake, where even demonic beasts were not uncommon.
"Here!"
Alex cautiously moved through the forest, occasionally stopping to inspect the ground. Suddenly, he squatted down, examining a large paw print next to a pile of droppings.
"Such a large tiger print! Looks like the ten fortune points were well spent!"
Alex's lips curled into a slight smile. He hadn't lied to Teng Qingshan; he had come alone to achieve a breakthrough in his Tiger Form Fist.
Alex's current situation was peculiar. His theoretical understanding of the Tiger Form Fist was at the Transcendent level (sixth level), but his practical skills were only at the Proficient level (third level). His cultivation was stuck at the threshold of the third rank, unable to advance.
This was normal since he had only been practicing the Tiger Form Fist for a few days, lacking substantial accumulation. Martial arts require gradual progress, and he wasn't practicing any magical techniques that would yield rapid results.
He was just a step away from the third rank. To break through, he had two options: rely on external forces or spend an extra ten to fifteen days practicing diligently. However, as a reincarnator, time was his most precious resource.
Mediocre individuals wait for opportunities, while the strong pursue or even create them. Given the dangerous world he had chosen, Alex was determined not to be mediocre. So, he spent ten fortune points to use the All-Heavens Reincarnation System's celestial deduction function, which predicted that this area had what he needed—a fierce tiger.
To truly master the Tiger Form Fist, he needed to experience the might of a real tiger.
Alex carefully followed the paw prints. Soon, he was greeted by a strong, pungent smell.
"Roar~~"
A thunderous tiger roar, like a bolt from the blue, echoed in Alex's ears. Looking in the direction of the roar, he saw a massive creature standing on a rocky outcrop ten meters away. The beast was nearly 1.78 meters tall at the shoulder and over five meters long, roaring furiously at him.
"A black tiger!"
Alex's eyes flashed with surprise. This beast wasn't like the black-and-yellow tigers he'd seen in pictures from Earth. It was a completely black, fierce giant.
Black tigers, also known as black tigers or purple tigers, are smaller and similar in size to leopards.
They have dense black stripes and light black fur with a bluish tint, described in Earth legends as animals with no live specimens but recorded throughout history.
The creature before him matched those descriptions, except for its size. This beast was larger than even the biggest tigers on Earth, weighing over a thousand pounds. Its strength must be terrifying.
"What a magnificent beast!"
Instead of fear or hesitation, Alex felt a surge of battle intent. He knew his days would be filled with life-and-death challenges in this world.
Why wait for them to come when he could start the bloodshed now with this black tiger?
Teng Qinghu (Alex) locked eyes with the black tiger, calmly removing his burdens. He discarded his bow, arrows, and spear, taking a stance and beckoning the black tiger. "Come on!"
"Roar~"
Enraged by Alex's provocation, the black tiger unsheathed its claws, scraping them against the stone. It crouched, then sprang forward with incredible speed.
The tiger leaped into the air, its sharp claws aimed at Alex's chest, and its gaping maw ready to devour him.
Alex charged forward, and just as he was about to collide with the tiger, he bent his knees, dropping his height.
"Roar~"
The black tiger's attack missed, and before it could land, it felt a sharp pain in its abdomen, causing it to howl in agony.
"Ha!"
Alex had ducked under the tiger's leap and, as it flew over him, delivered a powerful uppercut to its belly, releasing a burst of internal energy that injured its organs.
The black tiger, now enraged, twisted mid-air and lashed out with its tail. Alex flipped away, narrowly avoiding the deadly blow. The tail struck a large rock, shattering it into pieces.
"Hmph~"
Alex eyed the now cautious tiger, remaining vigilant.
"Roar~~~"
Realizing its predicament, the black tiger let out a deafening roar and charged at Alex.
An injured beast is the most dangerous, as Alex was now experiencing. The tiger's speed was incredible, much faster than before, and it was upon him in an instant, its jaws aiming for his neck.
"Thump!"
"Thump!"
As the tiger pounced, Alex's mind filled with images of the roaring, leaping beast. Thoughts raced through his head, and his muscles tensed. He let out a primal roar, matching the tiger's.
"Roar~~" His roar was so fierce that it momentarily stunned the tiger, slowing its attack.
"Bang!"
Alex jumped back half a step and grabbed the tiger's neck with both hands, lifting and tossing it, sending it flying.
"Third-rank achieved!"
Alex clenched his fists, feeling a surge of power, eager to unleash it.
"Bang!"
The black tiger crashed into a pile of rocks, shaking its head to clear its vision.
"Rise!"
Alex was already behind the beast, grabbing its tail and pulling hard, spinning and slamming it into a large boulder.
"Bang!"
The tiger's head smashed into the rock.
Seizing the moment, Alex leaped onto the tiger's back, pummeling its head with his fists. Blood splattered, and soon the tiger lay motionless, its breathing ceased.